Vegas Dave's Baseball Picks 08/13/09: Quest to -20 or 0
Season: -18.03 Units
Might as well make it official and officially put an end to this miserable season...
Pick 1: Philadelphia Phillies -131 over Chicago Cubs (1.97 to win 1.50)
"Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t know what to expect when they sent an old veteran Cy Young winner in Pedro Martinez to the mound. Tonight, with last year’s AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee on the mound, the Phillies can expect a dose of dominance.
Lee’s numbers on the season have been fantastic. Boasting an ERA under three at 2.95 and a WHIP of 1.26, Lee has given up more than three runs in a start only four times this entire season, making it 18 of 22 starts he has given up three runs or less. With Cleveland’s offense and bullpen, this didn’t translate to as many wins as it should have; but with Philadelphia’s bats, offense shouldn’t be a problem.
As impressive as Cliff Lee’s season has been, he has turned it up a notch since the All-Star Break. In five starts since the All-Star Break (three with Cleveland and two with Philadelphia), Lee has put together the following line;
41.0 IP, 5-0, 1.32 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 29 Ks, .213 BAA
Five straight wins, including three complete games. He gave up just one run in for of the contests and two in the other. Lee is locating his fastball perfectly, and he has opposing hitters completely stymied. Up against the Chicago Cubs who are no stranger to seeing their bats go quiet, Lee’s dominance should continue.
Ryan Dempster has had a pretty decent year with an ERA of 4.04 and a WHIP of 1.39. That said, he isn’t any match for Cliff Lee, and his recent form would suggest the same. Dempster has surrendered four runs or more in four of his last five starts, and has surrendered at least eight hits in five of his last six games.
The Phillies had definitely cooled off, and getting swept by the Marlins put the Fins right back into the thick of things in the division race. But a trip to Chicago seems to be just what the doctor ordered as the Phillies have picked up two straight wins sending JA Happ and Pedro Martinez to the mound.
Today is Cliff Lee’s turn to pick up the win for the Phillies. Look for Lee to complete the sweep over the Cubs this afternoon.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -129"
Good Luck
Might as well make it official and officially put an end to this miserable season...
Pick 1: Philadelphia Phillies -131 over Chicago Cubs (1.97 to win 1.50)
"Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies didn’t know what to expect when they sent an old veteran Cy Young winner in Pedro Martinez to the mound. Tonight, with last year’s AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee on the mound, the Phillies can expect a dose of dominance.
Lee’s numbers on the season have been fantastic. Boasting an ERA under three at 2.95 and a WHIP of 1.26, Lee has given up more than three runs in a start only four times this entire season, making it 18 of 22 starts he has given up three runs or less. With Cleveland’s offense and bullpen, this didn’t translate to as many wins as it should have; but with Philadelphia’s bats, offense shouldn’t be a problem.
As impressive as Cliff Lee’s season has been, he has turned it up a notch since the All-Star Break. In five starts since the All-Star Break (three with Cleveland and two with Philadelphia), Lee has put together the following line;
41.0 IP, 5-0, 1.32 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 29 Ks, .213 BAA
Five straight wins, including three complete games. He gave up just one run in for of the contests and two in the other. Lee is locating his fastball perfectly, and he has opposing hitters completely stymied. Up against the Chicago Cubs who are no stranger to seeing their bats go quiet, Lee’s dominance should continue.
Ryan Dempster has had a pretty decent year with an ERA of 4.04 and a WHIP of 1.39. That said, he isn’t any match for Cliff Lee, and his recent form would suggest the same. Dempster has surrendered four runs or more in four of his last five starts, and has surrendered at least eight hits in five of his last six games.
The Phillies had definitely cooled off, and getting swept by the Marlins put the Fins right back into the thick of things in the division race. But a trip to Chicago seems to be just what the doctor ordered as the Phillies have picked up two straight wins sending JA Happ and Pedro Martinez to the mound.
Today is Cliff Lee’s turn to pick up the win for the Phillies. Look for Lee to complete the sweep over the Cubs this afternoon.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies -129"
Good Luck